Hi everyone! I really hope that you are doing great!My name is Angie and I'm 25 years old. The past one and a half year I've struggling with debilitating anxiety. The previous year I was having every week about 3-4 panic attacks and somedays i was having more than one.
Fortunately, since October 2022 I haven't had any panic attack!
There is only one thing that really stresses me out and I can not take it off my mind: dizziness. I experience dizzy spells regularly. It's not on a daily basis, but sometimes I can be dizzy for 3 days straight (not the whole day hopefully).
It has become an obsession and everyday when I wake up it the first thing that will pop on my mind.
Many years now my worst fear is brain cancer and brain tumors. I've been afraid of it for like 10 years now.
Also, I have done plenty of examining, like blood work, I visited the cardiologist, the pathologist and the endocrinologist and they all gave me the green light. The only thing I can not do is an MRI. I just can't.
Dizziness freaks me out, it could be a million things but you might never find out what causes it and I really like to have answers, it's frustrating. I have times where I feel lightheaded on occasion, usually its from my sleep getting messed up or goes along with anixety. I believe a part of it comes from my meds. If it gets too difficult to deal with I just lay down for half an hour and listen to an audio book or white noise to try and distract my mind.
Fortunately, dizziness usually isn't a big deal. Unfortunately, it's easy to hype it up into a big deal wondering why you feel that way. I think being able to get used to them or ignore them has helped me. It is a relatively common side effect of anxiety for what that's worth
Thank you very much for the reply! I have to admit that it made me feel relieved for some reason, even though I feel sorry that you're experiencing dizziness as well.Laying down helps for sure and I also do it whenever I can. It calms the symptom.
I have noticed that I get the dizzy spells some days before my period. My gynecologist has told me that I have pms, so maybe that's the reason I feel like that.
But yes, it is frustrating and for someone who has health anxiety is very difficult to deal with...
Welcome! I too have bouts of syncope and vertigo. I have posted a few times on the Vagus Nerve system. This is a really good link. I have been working with a therapist to reset the nerve which releases a huge amount of anxiety. They mention both gastroparesis and syncope on this site for which I both suffer. My Vagus nerve is no good! This is really a good read for all on this site.
Thank you for the reply!I was feeling like the floor was moving a lot. And sometimes, when I'm laying down, I feel like my whole body is moving. Really weird sensations!
Maybe ask your doctor for some CBT therapy, I rarely get this symptom now, but if I do I'm not fearful of it and tend to ignore it for what it is. It soon goes away. Wishing you well Angie x
Thank you very much for the advice! I started CBT when I first started having panic attacks, but I only did for 6 months. To be honest, I didn't see huge difference, maybe because of the short period.If I may, for how long have you been having CBT counseling?The dizziness and all short of symptoms do go away eventually, I know that.
I just want to be able to ignore it and not think the worst case scenario.
Thank you once again and I hope the best for you, as well!
Hi Angie, I had probably 4 months of CBT, but it was about 11 years ago. I was referred for the specific reason of anxiety dizziness. Before the referral I thought ...like you...that I had some tumour in my brain. (I have GAD and health anxiety) My therapist was brilliant and she showed me how to deal with the dizziness and I just managed with her help to combat it. Yes the dizziness does go away but if you still fear it, it will probably return. In the last 10 years, I only felt this symptom once (for about 2/3 days) She told me to "make friends with it" stop fearing it. I took it on board and it worked.
Can I just say she told me to spend time doing something I enjoy, I chose Crafts of various types, and this is now what I like to do everyday. I'm 73 now and live alone, so rely heavily on my hobby. I do wish you well Angie, x
Hi Agg8 and sorry to hear about your issues. I know how hard it is to determine causes, took over 10 years for me to figure out. Have you checked with an ear, nose, and throat doctor? Only reason, my father suffered with dizzy spells and it was determined to be something with the bones of his inner ear. Might be worth looking into to help give you piece of mind.
Hello Agg8. I think health anxiety is more common than people think, especially after COVID and the lockdowns. We are all more sensitive to how we are feeling. I get really anxious when I don't think I have enough information. I have had a few panic attacks, but not anything to the frequency like you.
My first question is why no MRI? Claustrophobic? They have open MRI machines, now. They are not tubes to slide into. Did any of the doctors talk about dizziness being related to vertigo?
If the thoughts persist daily, I would think a morning meditation would be useful. 5 minutes to start. The best way to face the fear is when it is NOT in a heightened state. There are some guided meditations or hypnotherapy meditations (I use the free ones on different apps).
Keep telling yourself that you are healthy. End each day by reminding yourself of three things you are grateful for. If you can walk, go for a quiet walk. If you can zone out a little while walking, that is almost as good as a regular meditation. There is a huge mind-body connection, so the more frequently you can literally talk to yourself about being healthy and happy, the easier they will come.
Let me know if you need any resources. Best of luck.
Hello and thank you for the reply!I've been to plenty of doctors, but none of them mentioned anything about vertigo.
I have also visited a psychiatrist and diagnosed me with panic disorder and health anxiety disorder. He prescribed me antidepressants but I didn't want to start them, so I took for like a month tranxene, which is an anti anxiety med and I felt brand new! He told me to take them for three months, but I didn't do so and I took them for only a month. But when I was taking them I wasn't feeling any dizzy at all.
About your question about the MRI, no, I don't think I'm claustrophobic. I'm really afraid that they will find something and that I won't be able to deal with it.
Walking helps me very much, it's true. I also tried to meditate, but I think I do not have the patience I'm general. But I will try it again!
You have faced and survived everything so far. You have the courage in you, already. If an MRI can find something that is easily fixed, I would not rule it out. It could be the thing that ends your worries. Rule out the easy things. Get your eyes and ears checked. Make sure they are not migraines. Make sure your blood levels are in the normal range.
Vertigo is not a specific disorder. It is just another description of that sense of dizziness or room spinning. It is commonly used as a description. When I have a panic attack, I definitely get dizzy and hyperventilate.
Do you have a friend that can learn with you, ask them to come with you and coach you through the breathing? They usually play music while in the MRI. Ask if you can bring an MP3 with a guided meditation on it. If you can fall asleep while in the machine, even better.
The thing about those medications is that they take a while to build up in your system. Bad side effects usually happen right away. If the doc was expecting 3 months, then I would give it three months. If it was working for that month, I would go back to it. While you are on it is the best time to work on yourself because you can concentrate.
Check out something called walking meditation. There are also a ton of Apps that have guided meditations. Don't think of meditation like the stuff you see on TV. It is just a way to zone out, count your breaths, feel your chest and abdomen fill with air, etc.
Also, look up something called Progressive Muscle Relaxation. Oh, it is so relaxing.
Think about this, brain tumors are usually fast-growing. If you were thinking about this 10 years ago, you would have had major symptoms by now. You have not. You have successfully been facing this for 10 years with minor bumps along the way.
Angie welcome and sorry you are having dizziness. It totally sucks and so does health anxiety. Hang in there. One thing I was taught was you have to accept the symptom and not be so eager to get rid of it. Easier said than done. But there is truth to that. Try to re direct your mind when you feel it so mindfulness where u identify stuff around u or just a set of deep breathing and say this shall pass. Good vibes up.
First thing to do is put out of your mind any brain tumours or brain cancer. It is not helpful to think about these things especially as you have had tests that have been ok. Sadly for many of us when the COVID pandemic began in 2020 it brought with it feelings of dizziness, panic, feelings of un-wellness, uncertainty, and many people with pre-existing mental health issues and many more with no previous issues are going through these times. I am, myself. The key here is to not let them get to you. They will pass. To self help, when ever you feel dizzy, sit yourself down somewhere safe, and relax. Play some gentle music, do some gentle exercises from a sitting position, make a hobby. Pray. Anything that will take your mind off the dizziness. When you stand up - do so slowly, no sudden movements. Be aware of what is going on around you, take control of your own well-being. I am with you on the MRI - I am a breast cancer survivor of 35+ years, a few years ago I had problems with my back and was sent for an MRI - (breast cancer travels readily to the bones and spine) to be sure. My panic attacks at that time were so bad, I said I couldn't go through with the MRI, so it was organised for me to have an open MRI - all booked - I had to travel 100 miles to Gloucester in UK from my home in Buckinghamshire - when I arrived I was told I couldn't have an open MRI because I have stents in my heart, but they didn't know how many - I was told I would have to have full MRI but they would do it in two half hour slots - reluctantly I agreed - I was kept in the machine for two hours it was the worst two hours of my life. 5 years later I still have flashbacks. But if you are offered one again the Open ones are a good option - you don't say where you are in the world though.
Hi there. I just wanted to say that I knew 2 of my friends, who recently had a problem with this. One she only had it on one morning, and even though was alarming for her, it went away. The cousin I have had a problem awhile, and found out with a medication for her brain it was very helpful. It regulates it so she can function better. I’ve heard of this and the cause can vary among people.
Diziness has been one of my main symptoms lately aswell, I had all the checkups and everything seems okay physically. Its a struggle every day and I hope you're doing better. One of my main fears is also brain tumors or MS so I understand completely where you're coming from. Wishing you all the best! -Misha
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
xx
Therapist suffering with health anxiety.
Freaking Out - Health Anxiety
health anxiety is back 
Health anxiety
